On Wednesday March 15, 2023 in Washington D.C. at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS), a meeting of the Working Group on Haiti was held in the presence of Member States and Permanent Observers of the OAS to analyze the type of assistance needed so that Haiti can hold general elections...

All the interventions insisted on the urgency of obtaining a specialized multinational force in support of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) to fight against the growing phenomenon of insecurity which constitutes a threat for the country and for the region. The restoration of security was presented as the main prerequisite for humanitarian aid and the organization of elections.

The second part of the meeting (in camera) took place in sub-groups on the themes of security, humanitarian aid and the organization of elections.

Helen La Lime, the UN special envoy and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti unexpectedly joined the Haiti Task Force meeting and warned that gangs in Haiti were taking control of the country, and that the ongoing training and resources that the international community provided to the PNH were not enough to fight against heavily armed and increasingly violent gangs. She said it was time to consider new partnerships and called once again for the deployment of a specialized foreign force "We are not doing the work [...] We have to get to work to rebuild this country” concluding before the closed session "Nothing will move unless the situation on the ground changes [...] without more assistance in terms of security, they will not succeed."

Powerful gangs have infiltrated once peaceful communities in the Haitian capital and beyond, experts estimate they now control nearly 60% of Port-au-Prince.

Jean Victor Généus Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs in a virtual intervention said that the main priority of the Government was the return without delay to a secure environment to liberate the country.

“It is urgent that the OAS…understand that the deterioration of the security situation on the ground has reached its peak and that armed gangs are now circulating in the country without hindrance […] Haiti does not have the means to resolve this crisis only. [...] Haiti's security problem poses a threat to the entire region."

Intervention du Chancelier Généus (vidéo) :

During her speech (virtually), Ms. Mirlande Manigat, President of the High Council for the Transition (HCT), requested the support of the OAS which, she said, has a duty to assist Haiti in the face of the threat of imminent danger and degradation of the security, socio-economic and political environment.

Virtual intervention by Ms. Mirlande Manigat (Video) :

SL/ HaitiLibre